In collaboration with the U.S. Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center BAE Systems achieved a historic milestone by successfully firing the XM1155-SC guided projectile from an M109 Paladin artillery system over the longest distance ever recorded. The projectile effectively utilized GPS guidance to reach its target, showcasing the enhanced capabilities it brings to the U.S. Army's existing Howitzer fleet.

This groundbreaking test took place at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona and utilized a Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) Zone 5, confirming the XM1155-SC's compatibility with current artillery systems.

Brent Butcher, Vice President and General Manager of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems, emphasized the significant advancements introduced by the XM1155-SC solution, which enhances both current and future U.S. Army artillery systems. He highlighted that this projectile represents a substantial leap in performance and modernization, offering extended range and lethality to the U.S. Army's brigade and division artillery units. The recent successful firing, along with previous test results, underscores the program's commitment to delivering superior range and effectiveness.

Back in December 2022, BAE Systems, in partnership with the U.S. Army, conducted the first XM1155-SC test fire. During this test, the projectile was fired from a 155 mm XM907E2 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) test bed, successfully hitting a fixed target at distances surpassing those previously achieved by other precision guided projectiles using the same cannon type. Remarkably, this achievement occurred just 14 months after the company received an initial $14.8 million prototype development award in October 2021.

BAE Systems' concept for the U.S. Army's XM1155-SC program represents an advanced, cannon-launched projectile designed to engage and neutralize both stationary and mobile targets in contested environments, offering a range exceeding that of existing cannon-launched precision guided munitions. The concept prioritizes penetration and destruction of adversary defenses through extended range, advanced guidance, enhanced lethality, and increased survivability. This projectile aligns with the Army's modernization objectives for a long-range precision fires munitions solution.

Under its current contract, BAE Systems is actively demonstrating navigation and control, networking, and payload technologies that enable precision strikes at significantly extended distances for 155mm projectiles.

Source:prnewswire.com